Best free shopping apps

By Christopher Park

Apr 1, 2015

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In the past you would get the newspaper and read weekly ads to find deals. Then online stores made it unnecessary to go to a store. Now brick-and-mortar stores compete with online-only stores with mobile apps.

There are a lot of different shopping apps and this list includes some of the biggest retailers. And the best part? Some of them price match so you can buy an item at a competing store for the cheaper price. You’ll have to search for each store’s price matching policy.

Amazon

If you need something, Amazon probably has it. The online retailer has a worldwide presence with warehouses everywhere. In the US, an Amazon Prime subscription gets
free two-day shipping, access to Amazon Instant Video, and other perks. Amazon’s customer service makes it easy to return or exchange orders if something is wrong. Unless you need to see a product in person, Amazon is the easiest way to get what you want.

Best Buy used to be the best place to get Blu-rays and DVDs. The stores have taken a hit from the growth of online stores like Amazon, but it’s still a good place to find deals. If you need to demo a product in-store, Best Buy is a good place. Best Buy also price matches Amazon which is great if you need something that day. The app is a great way to keep track of weekly deals and see what else is on sale.

Etsy is an online store for creators. Sellers on Etsy create products they sell and you can find really unique items. There are mainly arts and crafts for sale, but spend a little time searching and you can find some interesting things.

Going to the grocery store can be a hassle. After working all day, the last thing you want to do is pick up ingredients for dinner. Instacart solves that problem. You can order groceries from stores like Costco and Whole Foods and get your entire list delivered to your door at a specific time. If the store is missing an item, you can leave a note for alternatives.

Buying computer supplies isn’t easy because there are usually too many options to choose from. Newegg is one of the best online stores for all your electronics needs. Whether you’re building a computer or just upgrading, you will find everything you need.

Buying clothes is one of the most difficult things to do. Depending on the brand, sizes can vary. But the biggest concern is getting clothes at the best price. Poshmark is an online marketplace with clothes from big brands at a discount. If your closet is overflowing, you can also sell clothes on consignment.

There are a lot of stores inside a mall. You won’t always know if there’s a deal going on though. Shopkick is an app that can show you deals in stores like Macy’s, Target, and Best Buy. You can also earn free gift cards by using the app, giving you a reason to go to the mall more.

Every college student knows the beauty of Target. It’s easy to find a nearby store and get Target-brand supplies at a discount. Target is also great for picking up a few groceries with its food section. The app contains items that aren’t sold in stores, but you can still have them shipped to your house. When you start a new college semester, Target is in the top list of places to go shop.

Walmart is huge, but it doesn’t have stores everywhere. Walmart’s biggest draw is its 24 hour superstores where you can buy cheap and questionable food at 3 AM. Walmart has basically everything you could want. The app has a cool feature that scans your receipt and compares prices to other stores. If there’s a lower advertised price, Walmart refunds the difference on a Walmart Rewards eGift Card. If you live in the South, there are even stores with a gun section.

Zappos originally was the best place to buy shoes online. It expanded to selling clothes and accessories. Zappos sells major brands so you can find everything you’re looking for. Even better for app users, Zappos offers free one business day shipping if you complete your purchase through the app.

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